Posts

The Department of Marine Resources (DMR) has taken part in collaborated activities with Ministry of Tourism under the theme, “Good For Us, Better For All.” In observance of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) and the St. Kitts Ministry of Tourism organised a Climate Smart Sustainable Tourism Forum 2017, to promote sustainable ability practices and enhance the climate resiliency of the Caribbean Tourism. The forum was held at Ocean Terrace Inn (OTI) from 11th-14th December, 2017 bringing together local regional and international representatives from public and private sector tourism entities, as well as development agencies that offer programming in sustainable tourism.

Interactively engaging practices of sharing in building climate sensitive and sustainable Caribbean tourism products, practical workshops, experiential field visits and the presentation ceremony for CTO’s 2017 Sustainable Tourism Awards. The CSSTF 2017 initiative, aims to strengthen holistic destination management approaches in the Caribbean. The forum addressed major sessions to include:

Leading The Way – Destination St. Kitts – tackling common issues for Small Island Developing States and created truly sustainable solutions to maintain this balance.

The CTO was honoured to partner with St. Kitts & Nevis to host this forum, which will explore various facets of sustainable tourism, in view of the threats and opportunities for regional tourism development, as a result of climate variability and climate change.

On November 23, 2017, there was the official launch of the St. Kitts and Nevis Yachting Sector Strategic Plan and the Implementation Plan for the Development of the Yachting Sector, 2017-2022. At the launch, senior ministers of Government such as, the Hon. Lindsay Grant (Minister of Tourism), the Hon. Ian Liburd (Minister of Infrastructure), Mrs. Carlene Henry Morton (PS in the Ministry of Tourism in St. Kitts) and Mr. John Hanley (PS in the ministry of tourism in Nevis) were present.

The St. Kitts and Nevis Yachting Sector Strategic Plan and the Implementation Plan for the Development of the Yachting Sector has a National Yachting Advisory Committee: a 20 member strong working group of public-private -sector stakeholders who have been demonstrating a sincere commitment to realising the expansion of the Yachting sector. The DMR has two representatives serving on this committee namely Kharim Saddler and Tricia Greaux. The yachting sector adds value to our tourism product, helps to drive socio-economic development, enhance livelihoods and contribute to revenue generation for the local economy. Several members of the committee coordinated and managed the launch.

Mrs. Carlene Henry Morton (PS in the ministry of Tourism in St. Kitts) spoke highly about the launch. She highlighted the many benefits the country would receive such as increased recognition and development. She also outlined the objective of the advisory committee, “The National Yachting Advisory Committee, with its mandate to service and oversee the yachting sector in St Kitts and Nevis and to review and advise the Minister on all matters pertaining to the development of the yachting sector, will facilitate this process and move it forward. Of course on this journey we will have our road maps, these critical documents that we are here to launch today will help us to chart that course.”

The Hon. Lindsay Grant also expressed similar notions as Mrs. Carlene Henry Morton. Mr. Grant expressed that it was a proud moment for him as a Kittitian and as the Minister of Tourism. He also proceeded to thank the private and public stakeholders who helped to reach the milestone. Grant added that when the medium- to long- term benefits of the establishment of marinas such as Christophe Harbour, berthing facilities and boat yards are considered, they translate into economic spin-offs that pay dividends for local entrepreneurs and ancillary businesses.

Themed, Good for Us, Better for All, the 6-8 September St. KittsClimate Smart Sustainable Tourism Forum is being held in observance of International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development and will bring together local, regional, and international representatives from public and private sector tourism entities, as well as development agencies that offer programming in sustainable tourism, for three days of interactive engagements. Major elements will highlight sustainable tourism in St. Kitts while including local and regional best practice sharing, hands-on workshops, experiential study tours, and strategic consultations.

Officers of the Department of Marine Resources will be making presentations about the impacts of climate change on the marine environment and ways in which St.Kitts can improve our resiliency and maximize opportunities.

At its core, Climate Smart Sustainable Tourism Forum is an initiative that aims to strengthen holistic destination management approaches in the Caribbean, and will discuss topics like:

TOURISM RESILIENCY THROUGH CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION & MITIGATION

CLIMATE CHANGE AS AN OPPORTUNITY

INNOVATIVE MODELS & BEST PRACTICES IN SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

RISK MANAGEMENT FOR SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

Organising partners include the St. Kitts Ministry of Tourism, the St. Kitts Sustainable Destination Council, the CTO, Heart of St. Kitts Foundation and Sustainable Travel International.

The Climate Smart Sustainable Tourism Forum is open to international participants, but local representatives are highly encouraged to register. Local registrations will receive the same great benefits as international, including engaging presentations, networking opportunities, delicious local meals, local case studies and site visits and hands-on workshops, with a savings of $650 on registration fees.